Governor Hochul Announces $21 Million to Expand Emergency Programs for Individuals Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $21 million in capital and start-up funding was awarded to establish three new Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs and improve four others across the state. Administered by the State Office of Mental Health, the awards will provide start-up and capital funding for these specialized units - also called CPEPs - and increase their capacity to serve New Yorkers experiencing a mental health crisis.

"New Yorkers who are confronting a behavioral health crisis benefit from wider access to emergency programs tailored to their needs," Governor Hochul said. "By expanding psychiatric emergency programs within hospitals, we are able to quickly and comprehensively support individuals in a timely and personalized manner."

The awards include $18 million to help three hospital networks to establish new CPEPs in New York City, the Hudson Valley and Northern New York regions. These projects include:

• Westchester Medical Center Health Network, $5 million in capital funding and $1 million in start-up funding to establish a new CPEP serving Dutchess and Ulster counties, including one youth/adolescent and three adult extended observation beds.
• Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, $5 million in capital funding and $1 million in start-up funding to establish a new CPEP serving Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, including six extended observation beds serving adults and youth/adolescents.
• Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center, $5 million in capital funding and $1 million in start-up funding to establish a new CPEP serving the Bronx, including six extended observation beds serving adults.

In addition, OMH awarded about $3.1 million to help four other hospital networks improve their existing CPEPs. These projects include:

• United Health Services Hospitals, Inc., $1 million in capital funding to add two treatment areas and a flexible common area to support multiple therapeutic and clinical functions.
• Richmond University Medical Center, $906,801 in capital funding to serve Staten Island to create a separate waiting room for children and adolescents and conduct numerous facility upgrades.
• St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, $726,151 in capital funding to create safer, more therapeutic spaces and conduct numerous facility upgrades.
• Stony Brook University Hospital, $499,432 in capital funding to expand pediatric holding rooms for rest and sleep and to create a trauma-informed comfort room.

CPEP programs provide treatment in a safe and comfortable environment for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including those with mental health disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, intellectual and development disabilities and medical conditions. They serve as a primary entry point to the mental health system for individuals seeking crisis treatment and can care for them for up to 72 hours if extended observation is needed.

New York has 21 CPEPs and three CPEP satellites operating statewide. State-funded CPEPs received more than 110,000 visits between February 2025 and January 2026, admitting more than 18,000 patients to extended observation beds, which are used for short periods to stabilize individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and determine whether they need inpatient treatment.

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Individuals in crisis or seeking urgent treatment can receive a full range of psychiatric services at Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs. By adding new capacity at hospitals statewide, we are expanding access to more New Yorkers in diverse regions who can now benefit from visiting a CPEP. This funding reflects Governor Hochul's sustained investments in strengthening all aspects of our state's mental health care system, ensuring New Yorkers can access critical services whenever they are needed right there in their own communities."

State Senator Samra Brouk said, "As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I support compassionate, trauma-informed programs that help individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. I applaud Governor Hochul for investing in three new Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs to increase our state's capacity to serve New Yorkers in crisis with therapeutic care."

Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said, "During a mental health crisis, having a safe place to turn for immediate care can make all the difference. Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs help ensure that New Yorkers experiencing a mental health crisis can quickly access treatment, evaluation and continued care. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for investing in and expanding essential services so more New Yorkers can access care when they need it most."